This could mean a shift in careers for millions, with a fifth (21 percent) admitting they don’t enjoy their job and 42 percent seriously considering a change in profession. Three in 10 (31 percent) of those polled by the National Lottery said lockdown had made them realise how important a good work-life balance is. The desire to work in a traditional office role has gone out of the window, with 23 percent considering a medical career, 12 percent saying they’d love to be a gardener and 11 percent wanting to retrain as a teacher.

One in 10 said they’d like to start again as a chef or baker, eight percent would now like to join the charity sector, and one in twenty (six percent) have spent so much time online that they now want to become a social media influencer.

The National Lottery carried out the research.

Despite the life-changing sums won on the lottery, 22 percent of lottery millionaires have chosen to carry on working by retraining for a new career in an industry they’re more passionate about.

The survey revealed just three in 10 Britons would give up working if they won the lottery, with 36 percent learning a new trade.

When asked what role they’d take on if they scooped a big prize, 16 percent said they’d train to be a pilot while 13 percent said they’d like to learn how to be a florist.

Barbara Derry-McClellan is one of the lucky winners to quit their unfulfilling job to start a new career after she scooped the £2.3million Lotto Jackpot in 2000.

She didn’t want to sit at home all day so, two years later, followed her passion and started her own florist shop.

Eighteen years later, Barbara and her husband Ian own both a flower shop, Pinks of Hazlemere, and run a florist wholesale business supplying to flower shops and floral artists across the UK.

She said: “I hated my job at a courier company, it was so boring and unfulfilling.

“I didn’t really have any other skills apart from being good at talking to customers but I did think my mum (a florist) was super talented and that I’d love to be able to do what she did.

“The National Lottery win gave me that chance to try my hand at flower arranging and I have loved every minute, first working in the shops and now supplying other flower businesses direct.

“It can be incredibly busy and hard work, especially on big occasions like Mother’s Day and St Valentine’s but I find it really rewarding.

“I probably wouldn’t have made the leap if it hadn’t been for the Lotto win and now I’m surrounded by beautiful blooms everyday – what more could a girl ask for?”

Three quarters (78 percent) of those surveyed said the events of 2020 had made them reconsider their lifestyle and priorities.

Two thirds (66 percent) have pledged to become healthier, 45 percent want to spend more time with their loved ones, and 32 percent are committed to travelling the world, as soon as it’s safe to do so.

Andy Carter, Camelot’s senior winners’ advisor, added: “2020 seems to have left many of us wanting more from our jobs, thinking about what our next career move might be or jacking it all in to do something that we really love.

“Our passion for gardening and cooking in lockdown and months of home-schooling has clearly inspired the nation to consider a career overhaul and realise the importance of job satisfaction.

“The importance of our careers doesn’t appear to change even after a lottery win, with only a number of the people looking to quit their jobs if they get lucky.

“Over half of National Lottery winners still work in some capacity with many starting their own business after their win, turning their hand to floristry, hairdressing – we even have a winner that’s invented their own spicy sauce.”

Top 10 new career ambitions for Britons

Medical Professional
Gardener
Teacher
Chef/Baker
Decorator/Interior Designer
Charity Worker/Volunteer
Florist
Care Worker
Photographer
Delivery Driver